CAPPADOCIA ONLINE

Recommended Hotels in CAPPADOCIA

2010-05-14T12:37:00.008+03:00

Cappadocia MUSEUM HOTEL

This is a most unique hotel consisting of a combination of restored caves carved into the living rock. more »

Cappadocia ROSE MANSIONS

Rose Mansions consists of two old Greek houses built on an area of 4000m2 in the mid 1900s. The restoration of our Mansions was started on September in 1998 and completed on June in 2002. more »

Cappadocia TASKONAKLAR

Waking up to a dream... A village, thousands of years old; buildings, untouched since 1950s when their inhabitants left in search for more modern places...
more »

Cappadocia MELEKLEREVI

The first time we saw this land of beautiful horses, Cappadocia, and its magical fairy chimneys, we knew we had to leave our own mark on this land that has been home to different civilizations for centuries. more »

Cappadocia SERINN HOUSE

Located in Urgup's most beautiful district, with magnificent views of the town and surrounding mountains, The Serinn offers guests a level of luxury and comfort unparalleled in the region. more »

HOTELS in TURKEY

2010-05-14T12:22:00.003+03:00

ALANYA Hotels
BODRUM Hotels
KALKAN Hotels
ALACATI Hotels
BURSA Hotels
KAS Hotels
ANKARA Hotels
CAPPADOCIA Hotels
KUSADASI Hotels
ANTAKYA Hotels
DATCA Hotels
MARDIN Hotels
ANTALYA Hotels
FETHIYE Hotels
MARMARIS Hotels
ASSOS Hotel
GAZIANTEP Hotels
OLYMPOS Hotels
AYVALIK Hotels
ISTANBUL Hotels
SELCUK Hotels

Travel TURKEY

2010-05-13T18:19:00.006+03:00

ISTANBUL Tours
SOUTH EAST Tours
CULTURAL Tours
CAPPADOCIA Tours
BLACK SEA Tours
ADVENTURE Tours
AEGEAN Tours
PILGRIMAGE Tours
TURQUOISE CRUISE
COOKING & GOURMET
RUGS & TEXTILES

Mazi Underground Cities

2010-05-13T17:40:00.001+03:00

The village of Mazi, named ‘Mazata’ in ancient times, is 18km south of Ürgüp and 10km east of Kaymakli Underground settlement. On the steep slopes of the valley are rock tombs dating back to the Early Roman Era, whereas on the plateau there are tombs in great number dating back to the Byzantine Period.

The underground settlement was hollowed out on the west slope of the village, which is situated in the steep valley. Four entrances have been discovered in different places and the main entrance is a corridor made from irregular stones. The big millstone door in the short corridor enabled them to control the access to the city. The small room inside made the movement of the millstone door easier. Besides, there is an alcove opposite the millstone door to seal the passage completely. Therefore, it becomes impossible to get into the passage.

The places with columns, opposite the entrance, are the stables. The stables, covering a large area of the underground settlement are the same as the others. However, the presence of a trough, hollowed out of rock, in the middle of one of the stables is a feature that makes this underground settlement different from the others. The great number of stables indicates that many animals were raised; therefore, the people had a high economic standard.

Uzumlu Church

2010-05-13T17:39:00.005+03:00

The Grape Church is located at the beginning of the Red Valley, to the west of the town of Ortahisar, about 1km from the road. The fairy chimney, in which the Grape Church is found, is hollowed out like a monastic complex where monks lived. The lower level of the fairy chimney is the church and the upper level is a chamber -which can be seen from outside due to the partial collapse of the walls- with a cross relief on the ceiling.

The church has a square plan with one apse and one nave. At the far end of the nave is a grave niche. This church is also called The Church of St. Nichlitas due to the presence of an inscription of St Nichitas in he dedication inscription of the church.

The nave with a flat ceiling is decorated with rich embellishments. The orange coloured surface is decorated with a cross composed of circles and rectangles and bunches of grape and geometrical motifs around it. The border is embellished with medallions with Maltese crosses.

Although it is not definite, the common belief is that the church dates back to the 8th or 9th century.

Scenes:On the apse Enthroned Mary holding Baby Jesus and Archangels Michael and Gabriel by their sides, on the north and south sides of the nave twelve apostles and doctor saints.

Theodore Church

2010-05-13T17:39:00.003+03:00

St. Theodore ( Tagar ) Church
The village of Yesiloz, which houses the Tagar church, lies to the right of the Urgup - Kayseri road, about 8.5km (13km)from Urgup. The dome of this "T" planned church is now covered in glass, the original having collapsed. The upper floor gallery is reached by a stairway, and this is the only example of such church architecture in Cappadocia. The generally well preserved frescoes were painted by three artists, all with their own style. This church, devoted to St. Theodore, dates back to the 11th-13th centuries.

Scenes: Deesis, Annunciation, Nativity, Prophetic vision, Communion of the Apostles, Crucifixion, Archangels Gabriel and Michael and portraits of saints in the insets.

Pancarlık Valley

2010-05-13T17:39:00.001+03:00

Pancarlik valley lies to the south of Ortahisar, and to the right of the road leading from Urgup to Mustafapasa. The church has one nave, one apse and a flat ceiling. The frescoes in this church are well preserved, and most of them are painted on a green background. At first glance it appears that two different artists were responsible for the paintings, but on closer inspection it is apparent that the same artist painted all the frescoes. In the church, the scenes from the Bible follow one another in sequence and portraits of saints in insets border these scenes on both sides. The church dates back to the first half of the 11th century.

Scenes: Prophetic Vision, Annunciation, Visitation, Proof of the Virgin, Journey to Bethlehem, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Joseph's Second Dream, Flight into Egypt, Massacre of the Innocents, Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, Pursuit of Elizabeth, Calling of St. John the Baptist, Baptism, Temptation of Jesus, Wedding at Cana, Miracle of the Wine, Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, Calling of the Apostles, Healing of the Possessed, Healing the Lepers, Healing of the Disabled Woman, Raising the Daughter of Jarius, Miracle of the Fishes, Jesus and the Samaritan Woman, Transfiguration, Way of the Cross, Crucifixion, Anastasis, Ascension, Archangels Gabriel and Michael and portraits of saints in insets.

St.George Church

2010-05-13T17:08:00.009+03:00

The Church of St. George (Kirkdamalti)
This church is built on an irregular hexagonal plan, and has a flat ceiling and one apse, which is now collapsed. Graves are situated in the floor and in niches. According to the inscription in the niche to the northeast, the donor of the church was a Georgian princess called Tamara, who also donated the land to the Church.

An inscription on one of the graves reads, "Purify our souls from sin, like the soul of a religious man ........ your servant".
The church was built between 1283 and 1295 during the times of the Seljuk Sultan Mesud II and the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos II.

Scenes: In the demolished apse Deesis, Nativity, Transfiguration, Crucifixion, Ascension, Koimesis (Falling Asleep of Mother Mary), Vow to St. George and portraits of saints.

Sumbullu Church

2010-05-13T17:08:00.007+03:00

The Sumbullu ( Hycianth ) Church
The church is in the same direction as the Church of Agacalti and is 250m northwest of it. The place was actually built as a two stored monastery. On the lower floor is the church, and on the upper level is a barrel-vaulted chamber, access to which is gained with stairs. The facade has 3 niches and two arched doors. On the architrave's above the columns is a series of blind niches for decoration. The low dome is located to the east of the church with a flat ceiling and one nave. Each of the two naves, one to the north and one to the south, has one apse. The one in the north is barrel vaulted and the one in the south has a flat ceiling. The church is dated to the end of the 10th century and the beginning of the 11th century.

Scenes: On the dome is Jesus Pantocrator. On the apse conch are Mother Mary between Michael and Gabriel, Annunciation, Koimesis (Falling Asleep of Mother Mary), Presentation of Jesus to the Temple, Three Young Men in the Fiery Furnace, and paintings of saints.

Kokar Church

2010-05-13T17:08:00.003+03:00

This single nave, barrel vaulted church is entered by way of the collapsed apse. Beyond the nave the rock was further dug out to form a burial area.

The main color of the paintings is gray. A large cross is painted on the well- preserved vault, and the hand, painted within a square in the centre of the cross, symbolizes the Triple Sanctification, around it is an embellishment, divided into four, full of geometrical patterns. The church is dated to the end the 9th century.

Scenes: Deesis, Annunciation, Visitation, Proof of the Virgin, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Baptism, Three Young Men in the Fiery Furnace, Flight into Egypt, Last Supper, Betrayal of Judas, Crucifixion, Women at the Empty Tomb, Ascension, Entombment, Pentecost and portraits of saint.

Agacalti Church

2010-05-13T17:08:00.001+03:00

The plan of this church is cruciform, the arms of which are barrel-vaulted, and has a dome and three apses. The main apse and the southern apse are collapsed. Entrance to the church is by this collapsed main apse. It is also known as the church of St Daniel, due to the picture of St Daniel on the wall opposite the entrance. Red, gray and yellow were used on a white background to decorate the church. The vault of the north arm of the cross is covered in various motifs. This church belongs to the Pre-Iconoclastic period or between 9th and 11th centuries.

Scenes: Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Flight into Egypt, Baptism, Koimesis (Falling Asleep of Mother Mary),Daniel among the Lions; on the dome are Ascension and portraits of saints.

Larder / Kitchen / Refectory

2010-05-13T16:06:00.011+03:00

These three areas lie side by side and are connected by passageways. The first section was used as a larder, with recesses hollowed from the rock being used as storage spaces. In the kitchen there is a "tandir", a type of oven still found in local village houses. The final section was the refectory. A long table carved from the rock extends from the left of the entrance. This would have seated 40 - 50 people. To the right of the table is a winery hollowed in the floor used for squashing grapes.

Buckle Church

2010-05-13T16:06:00.009+03:00

TOKALI (BUCKLE) CHURCH
This is the oldest known rock-cut church in the region, and comprises of four sections: The Old Church with one nave; the New Church; the Lower Church under the Old Church; and the Parecclesion to the north of the New Church.

The single-naved, barrel-vaulted Old Church, built in the 10th century, today acts as the entrance to the New Church. Its apse collapsed when the New Church was added to the east wing. Frescoes are to be found on the vault and at the top of the walls. The life of Jesus is told on separate panels on the vault, running from left to right.

Scenes:Portraits of the saints are in the center of the vault. On the top panel of the right wing are Annunciation, Visitation, Proof of the Virgin, Journey to Bethlehem, and Nativity. On the top panel of the left wing are, Adoration of the Magi, Massacre of the Innocents, Flight into Egypt, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and Killing of Zacharias. On the middle panel of the right wing are, Pursuit of Elizabeth, Calling of St. John the Baptist, Preaching of John, John meeting Jesus, Baptism and Marriage at Cana. On the middle panel of the left wing are, Miracle of the Wine, Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, Calling of the Apostles, Healing of the Blind Man and Raising of Lazarus. On the lower panel of the right wing are Entry into Jerusalem, Last supper, Betrayal and Jesus before Pilate. On the left lower panel of the left wing are Way of the Cross, Crucifixion , Descent from the Cross, Entombment, Women at the Tomb, Anastasis and Ascension. Beneath this panel are portraits of the saints , and Transfiguration is painted over the entrance.

The New Church is transversally rectangular with a simple barrel voult. On the east wall there are four columns joined by arches, behind which there is a raised corridor in front of the main apse and two side apses. On this barrel vaulted nave is the story of Jesus in chronological order in mainly bright red and blue colours. The dark blue colour serves to distinguish the Tokal? Church from the other churches.

On the transversal nave are scenes from the life of St. Basil, portraits of some saints and pictures of the Miracles of Jesus. The Church is dated back to last decade of the 10th century and the first decade of the 11th century.

Scenes: On the north wing of the vault are Annunciation, Visitation, Proof of the Virgin, Nativity and Adoration of the Magi. On the north wall of the vault are Joseph's Dream and Journey to Bethlehem and below these in the niches are portraits of 8 saints. At the very bottom are Calling of St. John the Baptist, John meeting Jesus, Baptism, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Calling of Matthew, Calling of the Apostles and Marriage at Cana; on the west wing Flight into Egypt, Temptation of Christ and Christ in the Temple when Twelve Years Old, on the south wing of the vault are the First Diacons, Pentecost and Blessing and Mission of the Apostles; on the south wall of the vault are some unidentified angels, below them, in the niches, are portraits of saints; at the very bottom are Healing of the Nobleman's Son, Raising the Daughter of Jairus, Healing the Paralytic, Raising of Lazarus, Entry into Jerusalem and Last Supper. On the west wing is Washing of the Disciples' Feet, on the main apse conch are Crucifixion, Descent from the Cross, Women at the Tomb, Anastasis, on the front wall of the apse are the First Diacons and Jesus and the Samaritan Woman; inside the niche is Mother Mary and baby Jesus; and on the apse to the north is Prophetic Vision and angels.

Carikli Church

2010-05-13T16:06:00.007+03:00

CARIKLI (SANDALS) CHURCH
This two columned church (two other columns being in the form of pillars), is cross vaulted, and has three apses and four domes. The well preserved frescoes show the life of Jesus, Hospitality of Abraham, and images of the saints and the donors of the church. Although it resembles The Karanlik (Dark) and Elmali (Apple) Churches, the scenes of Way of the Cross and Descent from the Cross make this church different from the others. The figures are generally large.

The footprints under the Ascension scene give the church its name, which means "with sandal". The church dates back to the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th centuries.

The center dome houses a picture of Jesus the Pantocrator with the busts of angels in the insets. On the central apse is Deesis, on the north apse Mary and the Baby Jesus, and on the south apse, a picture of St Michael.

Scenes: Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Baptism, Raising of Lazarus, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Betrayal, Women at the Tomb, Anastasis, Ascension and portraits of the saints.

Catherine Church

2010-05-13T16:06:00.005+03:00

CHAPEL of St. CATHERINE
Situated between the Karanlik (Dark) Church and the Carikli Church, the Chapel of St. Catherine has a free-cross nave and narthex. The central bay is covered by a dome and the cross arms are barrel-vaulted. Its apse is closed by a templon. The narthex has nine floor graves and two arcosolia (burial niches).

Only in the nave of the chapel are some decorations with figures. The pendentives are decorated with carvings. The Chapel of St. Catherine, built by a donor named Anna, dates back to the 11th century.

Scenes: Deesis in the apse with the templon, below are Doctors of the Church (Gregory, Basil the Great and John Chrysostom), on the south wall of the northern arm is St. George, opposite St. Theodore, St. Catherine and other panels of saints.

Dark Church

2010-05-13T16:06:00.003+03:00

The entrance to this church isfrom the north through a winding tunnel which opens into a barrel-vaulted narthex. In the south of the nartex there are three graves, two of which are big and th eother is small. The church has a cross plan, the arms of the cross having a diagonal vault. The templon of the main apse has been destroyed.

This Church dates from the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th centuries.

Scenes: Deesis, Annunciation, Journey to Bethlehem, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Baptism, Raising of Lazarus, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Betrayal of Judas, Crucifixion, Anastasis, Women at the Tomb, Blessing and Mission of the Apostles, Ascension, Hospitality of Prophet Abr.

Yilanli Church

2010-05-13T16:06:00.001+03:00

Yilanli ( Snake ) Church ( of St. Onuphorius )
The main section is transversally rectangular and barrel vaulted, whereas the extended space to the south, which houses the graves, has a flat ceiling. The apse was hollowed out of the long wall on the left and the church was left uncompleted. The entrance to the church is from the north. Portraits of the respected saints of Cappadocia are on either side of the vault. The church dates back to the 11th century.

Scenes: Opposite the entrance is a portrait of Jesus holding the Bible in his left hand. The donor of the church is pictured beside Jesus. On the east side of the vault are St. Onesimus, St. George and the Dragon, St.Theodore, and Helena holding the True Cross with her son Constantine the Great. On the west of the vault is the long haired, naked St. Onuphoius behind a palm tree, with St. Thomas in a sanctitying position beside him, and St. Basil holding a book.

Barbara Church

2010-05-13T16:05:00.013+03:00

This church is situated behind the rock housing Elmali (Apple) Church. It has a cruciform plan, with two columns. The north, south and west arms of the cruciform are barrel vaulted, and the centre, the east arm, and the east corners are domed. There are a main, central apse and two side apses.

Motifs were painted in red directly onto the rock. The walls and the dome are decorated in a variety of motifs including geometrical patterns, mythological animals and military symbols. The walls also have motifs resembling stonework.

This church dates back to the second half of the 11th century.

Scenes: On the main apse is Christ Pantocrator, on the north arm are St.George and the Dragon and St Theodore, and on the west arm is St Barbara.

Apple Church

2010-05-13T16:05:00.011+03:00

Aziz Basil Church

2010-05-13T16:05:00.009+03:00

The church is located on the west side of Gomede Valley, about 2km west of the town of Mustafapasa. The church has a rectangular plan, two apses, and two naves with flat ceiling and supported by two columns. On the walls of the west nave are semi embossed columns decorated with red ochre paint and between them are niches. The nave to the east is decorated with embellishments of geometrical and floral motifs. To the side of this nave, facing the Gomede Valley and the door of which is partly collapsed, is a grave that might have belonged to the donor of the church.

The apse of the eastern nave is decorated with three Maltese Crosses bordered with palm leaves and in each of these the name of a Patriarch is written. The Maltese cross in the centre of the three, bearing the names instead of the paintings of the patriarchs, symbolizes Abraham and the others Isaac and Jacob.
Researchers state that these Maltese crosses symbolise Heaven or the three crosses on Golgotha hill. The big cross on the ceiling, around which are decorations with geometrical and floral motifs, symbolises St Constantinople according to the inscription on the cornice.

Along side these motifs related to the notion of Iconoclasm, two important saints, St.Basil and St Gregory of Nazianzus are depicted on the front of the apse. According to some researchers, the Chapel of St Basil dates back to the Iconoclastic Period (726-843) or to a later period.

Kizlar Monastery

2010-05-13T16:05:00.007+03:00

The 6-7 storey rock mass to the left of the museum entrance is known as the "Nunnery". The dining hall, kitchen and some rooms on the first floor, together with the ruined chapel on the second level, can still be visited.

The church on the third storey, which can be reached through a tunnel, has a cruciform plan, a dome with four columns and three apses. The templon on the main apse is rarely found in Goreme's churches. Besides the fresco of Jesus, painted directly onto the rock, designs pained in red can alse be seen.

The different levels of the monastery are connected by tunnels, and "millstone doors", such as those found in the underground cities, were used to close off these tunnels in times of danger.

The tunnels connecting the levels of the Monastery, to the right, have eroded making it possible to only visit some of the ground floor rooms.

Meryem Ana Church

2010-05-13T16:05:00.005+03:00

Meryem Ana (Kiliclar Kusluk) Kilisesi
This church lies on a steep slope to the south of the Kiliclar church, and behind the Tokali church, about 250m from the open-air museum. The rectangular nave is covered by two barrel vaults of different widths and depths. The church, dating back to the first half of the 11th century, houses portraits of saints, and four bible scenes.

Scenes: Deesis, Journey to Bethlehem, Nativity, Crucifixion, Koimesis and portraits of saints.

Kiliclar Church

2010-05-13T16:05:00.003+03:00

This church is situated 600m NW of the Goreme Open Air Museum in Kiliclar Valley. It has a cruciform plan with four columns and a central dome. The arms of the cross are barrel vaulted. The ceilings in the west corners are flat, whereas those in the east corners are domed. There are three apses. The walls are richly decorated with frescoes illustrating a long narration from the Bible. The church dates back to the end of the 9th and the beginning of the 10th centuries.

Scenes: Prophetic Vision, Annunciation, Visitation, Proof of the Virgin, Reproaches of Joseph, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Joseph's Dream, Flight into Egypt, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Calling of John, John and the Christ, Baptism, Jesus and Zacchaeus, Healing of the Blind Man, Raising of Lazarus, Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Washing the Disciples’ Feet, Communion of the Apostles, Betrayal of Judas, Jesus before Annas and Caiaphas, Jesus before Pilate, Denial by Peter, Way of the Cross, Crucifixion, Descent from the Cross, Entombment, Anastasis, Women at the Empty Tomb, Blessing and Mission of the Apostles, Ascension, Pentecost, Koimesis and portraits of saints.

El Nazar Church

2010-05-13T16:05:00.001+03:00

This church is situated in El Nazar valley, about 800m to the right from the road to the Göreme Open air museum. This church was carved from one piece of rock in a "T" shape. It is cruciform with three apses, the main apse opening up in the centre where the barrel vaulted arms of the cruciform meet. The floor has been completely destroyed, as has part of the apse. The frescoes show scenes, which follow each other in chronological order. This church is dated to the end of the 10th century.

Scenes: Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Flight into Egypt, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Pursuit of Elizabeth, Baptism, Raising of Lazarus, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Crucifixion, Anastasis, Ascension, and portraits of saints.

Yusuf Koc Church

2010-05-13T16:04:00.003+03:00

As with the Durmus Kadir Church, this church has been named after the owner of the vineyard on which it stands. It is cruciform in design, with two apses and originally boasted four columns although these have now crumbled. This church dates back to the 11th century.

Durmus Church

2010-05-13T16:04:00.001+03:00

Durmus Kadir Church
This basilica style church differs from the others in that it has a pulpit in the centre, its columns are thick and rectangular in shape, it has a baptistery and graves hollowed out of the walls in the first section. The church, dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries, displays some of the most beautiful examples of carved decorations.

Saru Han

2010-05-13T15:44:00.003+03:00

It is located in the valley of Damsa, 5km southeast of the town of Avanos in the vicinity of Nevsehir and 6 km north of Ürgüp. The han is on the Aksaray-Kayseri route in the east-west connection.

Saruhan, built during the reign of Izzettin Keykavus I - maybe upon his orders - in 1249, covers an area of 2000 m square. Yellow, reddish pink and light brown regular stone blocks were used as building material in Saruhan.

A decorative look was achieved by using stone of two different colours in the arches of both the monumental portal and the inner portal. In the outer portal, the upper parts of which partly collapsed, mainly geometrical decorations were used like in the other sultanhans. Its domed mescid, unlike other caravanserais, was built above the monumental portal. The doorway of the mescid, facing the courtyard, is decorated with squinches with mukarnases. To the left of the large courtyard is a portico with a fountain and to the right are the places for accommodation and bathing. The small lines on some of the stones used in the porticoes are stonemasons’ marks. The hall where animals and their keepers stayed is similar to the ones in Aksaray Sultanhan and Agzikarahan. The oculus, seated on pendentives is quite plain.

The Han, the upper parts of which have collapsed in places, was returned to its original state with the completion of its restoration in 1991. After Saruhan, one of the latest examples of Sultahhans, the Seljuk Sultans did not have hans built.

Karatay Han

2010-05-13T15:44:00.001+03:00

Perhaps the best preserved of all Cappadocian caravanserais is Karatayhan built by Celaleddin Karatay on the old Kayseri-Malatya road, part of the main trade route into Syria. Construction commenced during the reign of Alaaddin Keykubat and was completed during of his son Giyaseddin Keyhusrev in 1240/1241.

The endowment deed of Karatayhan tells us that it was built to serve both commercial and social functions. The ornately carved portal which dominates the south wall measures 46 by 80 metres, and projects both beyond and above the wall. The decoration includes floriate and figurative as well as geometric motives which distinguishes it from other Caravanserais. Along the eastern side of the courtyardt are a series of long narrow chambers with pointed vaults opening directly onto the courtyard, while an arcade runs down the western side.

Sultan Han Caravanserai - Kayseri

2010-05-13T15:43:00.003+03:00

It is located in the village of Sultanhan (Tuzhisar), 45km along the Kayseri-Sivas road. It is understood from the inscription on the portal of the hall that the Han was built between 1232-1236 upon the orders of Alaaddin Keykubat.

Kayseri Sultanhan, covering an area of 3900 m square, is rather similar to Aksaray Sultanhan in terms of plan.

On both sides of the portal of Sultanhan, the entrance of which faces north, are towers , the lower parts of which are square whereas the bodies are semi-circle columns. Although its partially collapsed portal is an example of the classical Seljuk portals, it has a monumental appearance between these towers.

A square courtyard is reached through a hall with a high arch. The kö?k mescid, located right in the centre of the courtyard, is seated on four piers with arches. Access to the mescid is gained up two flights of stairs on the northern side. The decorations composed of geometrical motifs, rosettes, borders with double knots, and designs of symmetrical dragons on the fronts of the mescid and the arches are examples of expert stonemasonry. The terrace where the calls to prayer were done is reached by a flight of stairs from a niche in the mescid, the sanctuary of which is square planned and barrel vaulted.

The domed bath house, to the northwest of the courtyard, is composed of five divisions. The bath house is reached from the door on the northwest corner of the portico on the right hand side. First the entrance hall and the dressing room, then the domed bathing place with basins is reached. The cistern of the bath house,heated using underground heating, is in a rectangular plan and barrel vaulted. The other places with porticoes on this side belonged to guests and their animals. Opposite this section are the places also used in summer time.

The fronts of the porticoes and vaults facing the courtyard are equilateral arches. The portal of the winter hall, protruding about 2 m into the courtyard, has a monumental appearance, like the outer portal, due to the embellished decorations on its front and the workmanship, although its sides have no decorations.

Above the entrance of the portal, the outer border of which is composed of geometrical decorations, is a nine lined mukarnas. The entrance door is a basket-handled arch. Across the entrance is the middle nave and on the sides are 24 high vaulted arches with square piers in six lines in groups of four.

At the piers of the arches are the 60-70 cm high platforms separating the areas for people and animals. Places close to the walls were for the animals whereas places close to the middle nave were used by travellers and the middle nave was communal for services. The oculus, 6 m in width and quite high, is seated on pendentives. In this section also is a prayer written in a scattered way.

Kayseri Sultanhan was restored to its present state in 1951.

Sultan Han Caravanserai - Aksaray

2010-05-13T15:43:00.001+03:00

This is located in the town of the same name, 40km from Aksaray on the Aksaray to Konya road. It is one of the most magnificent Seljuk Caravanserais, and was built in 1228 upon the orders of Sultan Aladdin Keykubad.

The rectangular courtyard, with a mosque in the centre, is entered by way of a splendid portal. Porticos line the right side of the courtyard, while rooms and storage areas are found on the left. A second portal on the left of the courtyard leads to the stables. In this section 32 piers in groups of 8, and in four rows, support the vaults.

The only light source here is an oculus the dome, which resembles a cone on the outside.

Agzikarahan Caravanserai

2010-05-13T15:42:00.002+03:00

This well preserved Caravanserai is 15km from Aksaray, on the Aksaray-Nevsehir road. Its construction began in 1231 during the reign of Alaaddin Keykubad, and was finished during his son, Keyhusrev's reign. The small mosque rests on four pillars directly opposite the portal. Unlike in the other caravanserais, the closed area is not opposite the portal, but to the left.

Regional Festivals

2010-05-13T15:42:00.001+03:00

TRADITIONAL AKSALUR CHERRY FESTIVAL
Place and Date: Aksalur 15-30 June
Organization Commity: Aksalur Municipalty
Phone:(384) 371 70 03
Fax:(384) 371 70 02

TRADITIONAL ORTAHISAR TOURISM AND LEMON FESTIVAL
Place and Date: Ortahisar 23 june
Organization Commity: Ortahisar Municipalty
Phone:(384) 343 32 04 - 343 32 24
Fax:(384) 343 30 04

TRADITIONAL GORE TANDOUR BEAN FESTIVAL
Place and Date: Goreme 12 August
Phone:(384) 232 80 09
Fax: (384)232 81 73

HACIBEKTAS COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY AND CULTUREL ART ACTIVITIES
Place and Date: Hacıbektas 16-18 August
Organization Commity: Hacıbektas Municipality
Phone:(384) 441 30 17 – 441 36 51
Fax:(384)441 36 38

AVANOS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND HANDCRAFT FESTIVAL
Place and Date: Avanos 31-01 September
Organization Commity: Avanos Municipality
Phone:(384) 511 40 64
Fax:(384) 511 40 65

INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETATION AND GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVALPlace and Date: Urgup 14- 15 September
Organization Commity: Urgup Municipality- General Manager of Tekel
Phone:(384)341 40 08- 341 40 70
Fax:(384) 341 42 26

INTERNATIONAL WORLD PEACE FESTIVAL
Place and Date: Nevsşehir: September 3. Week
Organization Commity: Governor of Nevsehir- Nevsehir Municipality
Phone:(384) 213 12 20
Fax:(384)213 19 91

River Fishing in Red River ( Kizilirmak )

2010-05-13T15:41:00.001+03:00

Just middle of the town (Avanos),flows one of the longest waterway of Turkey with it’s beautiful rafting points and fishing areas,to be found anywhere in the world.That river rises from the mountains through the middle of the town up to millions of years.Our skilled quides will take you to some of the best fishing locations of sheatfish,carps or sea bass. where can be readily viewed.This tour commences at approximately 7.00AM from the hotel with a scenic drive ,where we launch.Once settled into fishing,morning tea is provided.

A bit more fishing,then it’s time for a lunch of fresh sandwiches & fruit that can be taken in a shady spot on the bank ,or ‘’on the go’’ as you keep reeling them in.We pack up the roads about 4.00PM and get back to hotel approximately 5.00PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION / info@matiana.com.tr

Cappadocia Acitivities

2010-05-13T15:40:00.000+03:00

CROSS GOLFCross Golf, a kind of golf played in natural environments and respecting nature, started to be in service in Cappadocia as from April 2009 within the leadership of Indigo Tourism. Cappadocia will be the only spot within the Unesco World Heritage in the world where Cross Golf is played. In this game which is played being loyal to the general rules of Golf, there is no hole but just a net. Cross Golf does not give harm to nature in any way, and it is one of the significant examples of “Responsible Tourism” concept in our country.
For more information ; www.crossgolf.com.tr

BALLOON FLIGHTS
One of the most exciting ways to experience the unique landscape and habitation of Cappadocia is to take a hot air balloon trip over the center of this area. Indeed, this is one of the most exhilarating balloon trips found anywhere in the world. Comfortable, quiet, and serene, this balloon adventure is a wonderful way to see the unique landscape as well as peek into the start of daily lives on the ground.

HORSE RIDING
Experience the incredible and unusual beauty of Turkey's Cappadocia region from the back of a horse. Something like a cross between the Grand Canyon and a moonscape, Cappadocia boasts some of the worlds most unusual and spectacular landscapes. Traversing the countless valleys and mountains by horseback brings riders in touch with the area's breath - taking beauty.

MORNING WALKING
Your guide will be Omer Tosun (the owner of Museum Hotel) and Gipsy (Our client relation manager – a cooker :) ). We will kindly ask 10 Euro per person for this lovely morning activity and all money directly goes to Charity for the childs!

WHIRLING DERVISHES CEREMONY (SEMA)
Sema is is the inspiration of Mevlânâ Celâleddin-i Rumî (1207 - 1273) as well as part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture. It symbolizes in seven parts the different meanings of a mystic cycle to perfection (Ascension - Mirac). Contemporary science definitely confirms that the fundamental condition of our existence is to revolve...

COOKING LESSON
If you like to learn about the Anatolian and Cappadocian flavours, then you should definitelly experience this activity. Our international award winning chef gives the lectures personally.

BOUTIQUE WEDDINGS
Don't you want to make unforgetable one of your the best memory in your life? We can arrange a well organised Boutique Weddings in the Museum Hotel terraces and poolside which have one of the best location in Cappadocia.

Please do not hesitate to write us (info@cappadociaonline.com) for all other details and reservation.

Tatlarin Undergroundcity

2010-05-13T15:25:00.005+03:00

The village of Tatlarin, located 10 km north of the town of Acigol, is one of the interesting places in Cappadocia because of both its underground settlement and churches and the architecture of its houses. Its underground settlement, located on the hill called ‘the castle’ by the locals of the village, was first discovered in 1975 and opened to the public in 1991. The size of the chambers in the underground settlement, only two floors of which can be visited; the presence of the toilets, which also can only be found at the Guzelyurt Underground Settlement; the abundance of the depots for food and of the churches make one think that this place was either a garrison or a monastic complex rather than an underground settlement.

The Tatlarin Church
The church is on the slope of the hill, called "the castle", in the town of Tatlarin, about 10 km north of Acigol. The narthex of the church, which has two naves and two apses, is collapsed. The well preserved scenes are separated from each other with dividers. The background is dark gray whereas with figures colors like purple, mustard color and red are used.

Scenes: On the apse Mother Mary and Baby Jesus, Archangels Michael and Gabriel; Constantine the Great and Helena, Transfiguration, Anastasis, Entry into Jerusalem, Crucifixion and portraits of 9 saints as well as the donor's.

Ozluce Undergroundcity

2010-05-13T15:25:00.003+03:00

This underground settlement which is located in the centre of the village of Ozluce, the ancient name of which was Zile, is on the Nevsehir-Derinkuyu road, 6 km south of the town of Kaymakli.

Ozluce Underground settlement is different from the others in terms of its geological formation and architectural features. The underground settlement has tufa of different colors. There is only one floor in this underground settlement which has not been completely opened; however, it covers a very large area.

At the entrance is a place with two intertwining arches made of basalt. Access to the main tufa stone can be gained through a 15 m long passage, made of rubble stone. The stone places, which lead to the underground settlement, are more recent than the rock hollowed places that form the underground settlement. At the end of this passage there is a millstone door which is made of hard granite and is 1.75 m in diameter.

Being the largest area in the underground settlement, the main space at the entrance consists of two parts. To the right of the main space are storage rooms, and to the left are living areas. On the sides of the long corridors are cell-like rooms and on the floor are traps

Ozkonak Undergroundcity

2010-05-13T15:25:00.001+03:00

This underground settlement is in the center of the town of Ozkonak, 14 km north of Avanos and hollowed out into the west slopes of the Idis Dagi ,where the tufa layers are mainly found.

Although there is only one floor, it covers a large area and the spaces are connected to each other with tunnels. Unlike the important underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, there are very long and narrow holes to enable communication between the levels. When the entrances of neatly hollowed chambers were closed, those narrow (5 cm in diameter) and long holes were used also for ventilation.

Unlike the other underground settlements, just in front of the millstone doors, on the ceiling of the tunnels, there are small holes which were made to pour hot oil on the enemy, or to spear them.

As in the underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, in this underground settlement are a ventilation shaft, a well, a winery and millstone doors.

Kaymakli Undergroundcity

2010-05-13T15:22:00.003+03:00

This underground settlement which is located in the centre of the village of Özlüce, the ancient name of which was Zile, is on the Nevsehir-Derinkuyu road, 6 km south of the town of Kaymakli.

Ozluce Underground settlement is different from the others in terms of its geological formation and architectural features. The underground settlement has tufa of different colors. There is only one floor in this underground settlement which has not been completely opened; however, it covers a very large area.

At the entrance is a place with two intertwining arches made of basalt. Access to the main tufa stone can be gained through a 15 m long passage, made of rubble stone. The stone places, which lead to the underground settlement, are more recent than the rock hollowed places that form the underground settlement. At the end of this passage there is a millstone door which is made of hard granite and is 1.75 m in diameter.

Being the largest area in the underground settlement, the main space at the entrance consists of two parts. To the right of the main space are storage rooms, and to the left are living areas. On the sides of the long corridors are cell-like rooms and on the floor are traps.

Derinkuyu Undergroundcity

2010-05-13T15:22:00.001+03:00

Derinkuyu (Melegubu) Underground settlement

Derinkuyu is situated 29km from Nevsehir, on the road to Nigde. The settlement is approximately 85m deep. It contains all the usual rooms found in an underground settlement (stables, cellars, refectories, churches, wineries etc.). Apart from these, a large room with a barrel vaulted ceiling on the second floor was a missionary school, the rooms to the left being study rooms.

From the 3rd and 4th floors onwards the descent is by way of vertical staircases which lead to the cruciform plan church on the lowest floor.

The 55m deep ventilation shaft was also used as a well. Not every floor was provided with a well, however, some wells were not connected with the surface in order to protect the dwellers from poisoning during raids. Derinkuyu Underground settlement was opened to visitors in 1965, but so far only 10% can be visited.

Gumusler Monastery

2010-05-13T15:21:00.009+03:00

ESKI GUMUS ( The Monastery of Gumusler)
This is a monastery church carved from the rock in Gumusler, 8km to the northeast of Nigde, 4 km from the Nigde-Kayseri road. This 10th century monastery is entered via a vaulted door. The church is situated to the north side of the courtyard, while rooms carved from the rock line the rest of the courtyard. The church is built on a closed cruciform plan, and has a central dome, four columns, cross vaults and three apses.

Scenes: Nativity and Presentation of Jesus in the Temple scenes are quite articulated. On the apse there are Deesis and the Apostles, several portraits of Mary, portraits of saints and angels.

Guzelyurt

2010-05-13T15:21:00.007+03:00

Guzelyurt is 45km from Aksaray and 15km from Ihlara. With its beautiful nature and 19th century architecture it is an important place for visitors to Cappadocia.

Gregory of Nazianzus, who worked hard to spread Christianity in the area, turned Guzelyurt into an important centre. Churches found in Güzelyurt are, Yüksek, Kizil, Silvisli, Ahmatli and Koc. Guzelyurt also boasts a church built in 1891, now used as a mosque.

Selime

2010-05-13T15:21:00.005+03:00

Selime is situated at the end of the Ihlara Canyon. Fairy chimneys rest on the steep hillside, and a basilica style cathedral, the Seljuk tomb of Selime Sultan, whom the town was named after, a hollowed out citadel and churches are also found here.

Aksaray

2010-05-13T15:21:00.003+03:00

Aksaray is built at the base of Mt. Hasan, on a large plain at a central crossing point for roads leading in all directions. It derives its name from the Cappadocian King, Archelaos and was an important town especially in the Roman Period. The name was changed to Aksaray by the Seljuks in the 11th century.

Important buildings include the 15th century Ulucami, Kizil Minare (Egri Minare), considered to be the oldest piece of Seljuk work, and the Madrasah of Zinciriye. Ihlara Canyon and Guzelyurt, some of the important areas in Cappadocia, are within the borders of the province of Aksaray.

Gulsehir

2010-05-13T15:21:00.001+03:00

The old name of Gulsehir, situated on the southern bank of the Red River, 20km from Nevsehir, is Arapsun and in ancient times it was called "Zoropassos". The Ottoman Grand Vizier Karavezir Mehmet Seyyid Pasha did the same thing in Gulsehir as Damat Ibrahim Pasha did in Nevsehir and a Kulliye was built in the town, which had only 30 houses. The complex consisted of a mosque, a Medrese and a fountain.

Karavezir Mosque
The mosque, having the characteristic features of the Ottoman architecture, was built using blocks of stone of two different colors. The dome covering the main area is seated on four arches.

The Ruins of Aciksaray
This important area of ruins is situated 3km from Gulsehir. There are numerous rock cuttings including Roman tombs, and churches dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries in this important bishopric.
Rock formations in the shape of mushrooms are unique to this area.

The Karsi Church (of St John)
The two floor church of St. Jean, found on entering Gulsehir, houses a church, wine cellar, graves, water channels and living quarters on the lower floor, and a church decorated with Biblical scenes on the upper floor.

The lower floor church is built to the shape of a cross, has one apse and arms of the cross are barrel-vaulted. The central dome is collapsed. Stylized animals, geometrical and crucifix designs are used to decorate the church in red ochre, which was applied directly onto the rock. The upper church has one apse, and is barrel-vaulted. Apart from those on the apse, the well-preserved frescoes were covered in a layer of black soot. The church's present state owes to the restoration and conservation done by Ridvan Isler in 1995.

The scenes from the life of Jesus and the Bible are in the form of friezes within the borders. Yellow and brown have been used on a black background. On the niche vault and on the sides, floral and geometrical patterns were used. On the west and south walls Last Judgment can be found, a scene rarely depicted in Cappadocian churches.

According to the inscription on the apse, the church is dated to 1212.

Scenes: Deesis on the apse, on its front Annunciation, below bird designs, on the barrel vault portraits of saints in medallions, on the south wing of the vault Last Supper, Betrayal by Judas, Baptism, below Koimesis (Falling Asleep of Mother Mary), on the north wings of the vault Descent from the Cross, Women at the Tomb, Anastasis, on the West and South walls Last Judgement.

Ortahisar

2010-05-13T15:20:00.000+03:00

Ortahisar citadel, built both as a defense and as a settlement, is situated 6km from Ürgüp, on the road to Nevsehir. Typical examples of the area's civilian architecture can be found among the houses skirting the citadel. The sides of the valleys are littered with carved out storage areas used for preserving local products such as apples and potatoes, as well as oranges and lemons brought from the Mediterranean.

Very interesting churches and monasteries can be found in the surrounding valleys. Among these are, Sarica church, Cambazli church, Tavsanli church, Balkan Deresi church and Hallac Dere monastery.

Cappadocia News and Events

2010-05-12T17:14:00.005+03:00

SPORT ILLUSTRATED 2009 SHOOTINGS WERE HELD in CAPPADOCIA
A part of the shootings of Sport Illustrated, which is one of the famous and prestigious magazines, took place at Museum Hotel, Cappadocia in 2009. During one year, these shootings took place the web site visited by millions of people and annual catalog that breaks sales record in every year.
For details, please click here.>>

Cappadocia Map

2010-05-12T17:14:00.003+03:00

Cappadocia Hot Air Ballooning

2010-05-12T17:14:00.001+03:00

ADVENTURE...
Man originally conquered the skies with the hot – air balloon and the principle of lighter-than-air-travel.
This sensation in one of the most spectacular and beautiful areas in the world comes as one of life's unforgettable experiences. Kaili(English) and Lars(Swedish) will be your pilots in Cappadocia.
They have both been flying passenger balloons professionally in Europe and Turkey since 1980.
Languages spoken: English, Swedish, French and German.

INFORMATIONS
·Full payment upon confirmation
·Individual and group bookings
·Outdoor clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended
·Flights are operated by Kapadokya Balonculuk Tur. Tic. Ltd. Sti under " licence number "1997/18 issued by the Ministry of Transport

LONG FLIGHT
Includes
·Flights every day at sunrise
·Transfers to/from Balloon to the hotel
·Total excursion takes around four hours.
·Flight time from one to one and a half hours
·Champagne celebration and flight certificate at landing
·Full passenger insurance

SHORT FLIGHT
Includes
·An hour-long flight
·Commemorative Flight Certificate
·Celebratory refreshments on landing
·Transportation from /to your hotel
·Full passenger insurance

Please send an e-mail ( info@cappadociaonline.com ) for further information or for your reservation

Cappadocia Restaurants

2010-05-12T17:13:00.007+03:00

LIL'A RESTAURANT
Lil’a is the highest level of restaurant and undisputed leader in Cappadocia region. Its services quality, rich menu, atmosphere and scenery are excellent. Tastes not found in anywhere in the region are prepared diligently by award-winning chef. While in Cappadocia, you should definitely taste Lil’a experience.
Tel: 384 219 2220
http://www.lil-a.com.tr

ZIGGY'S SHOOPE & CAFE
A very cute place, in which different kinds of delicious foods are served, is in Urgup, Esbelli neighborhood. Due to its place among the dozens of boutique hotels, it is a place frequently preferred by guests staying in these hotels. Especially for lunch/dinner with friends, Ziggy has become a frequently preferred place with its unique and hot environment.
Tel: 384 341 7107

ANGEL CAFE & BISTRO
Angel Café & Bistro is a place especially preferred by young people in the center of Urgup .It is the one of the preferred place to drink beverages with its red décor, spacious bar, friendly staff and quality music and service.

ALATURCA
Alaturca is one of the rare places in Cappadocia where lunch or dinner can be taken of with your contentment. It is in the center of Goreme and has served since 2003. Traditional Turkish cuisine is served in Alaturca and the grasses area outside the restaurant is a place that young people prefer to visit.
Tel: 384 271 2882

Cappadocia Geology

2010-05-12T17:13:00.005+03:00

The interesting rock formations, known as "fairy chimneys", have been formed as the result of the erosion of this tufa layer, sculpted by wind and flood water, running down on the slopes of the valleys. Water has found its way through the valleys creating cracks and ruptures in the hard rock. The softer, easily erodable material underneath has been gradually swept away receding the slopes and in this way, conical formations protected with basalt caps have been created.

The fairy chimneys with caps, mainly found in the vicinity of Urgup, have a conical shaped body and a boulder on top of it. The cone is constructed from tufa and volcanic ash, while the cap is of hard, more resistant rock such as lahar or ignimbrite. Various types of fairy chimneys are found in Cappadocia. Among these are those with caps, cones, mushroom like forms, columns and pointed rocks.

Fairy chimneys are generally found in the valleys of the Uchisar- Ürgüp-Avanos triangle, between Urgup and Sahinefendi, around the town of Cat in Nevsehir, in the Sogani valley in Kayseri, and in the village of Selime in Aksaray.

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS & GEOLOGICAL FORMATION

Mount Erciyes, Hasandagi and Golludag were active volcanoes in the geological periods. Alongside with many other volcanoes, eruptions of these volcanoes started in the Early Miocene (10 million years ago) and have continued until the present day.

The lava produced by these volcanoes, under the Neogene lakes, formed a layer of tufa on the plateaus, which varied in hardness and was between 100 and 150m thick. Other substances in the layer are ignimbrite, soft tufa, tufa, lahar, ash, clay, sandstone, marn, basalt and other agglomerates.

Plateaus, having been essentially shaped with the lava from the bigger volcanoes, were continuously altered with the eruptions of smaller volcanoes. Starting in the Early Pliocene Period, the rivers in the area, especially Kizilirmak (the Red River), and local lakes contributed to the erosion of this layer of tufa stone, eventually giving the area its present day shape.

Fascinating Curves
Another characteristic feature of the area is the sweeping curves on the sides of the valleys, formed by rainwater. The array of colors seen on some of the valleys is due to the difference in heat of the lava layers. Such patterns can be seen in Uchisar, Cavusin/ Güllüdere, Goreme/ Meskendir, Ortahisar/Kizilçukur and Pancarlik valleys.

Cappadocian Civil Architecture

2010-05-12T17:13:00.003+03:00

19th century Cappadocian houses were built on hill sides, either carved out of the rock or built from large cut stones. Volcanic stone is the only architectural material in the region used for building ; it is soft when extracted and can therefore easily be cut and shaped. It hardens on contact with air to form a very resistant material. The abundance of stone in the area, and the ease of use have created a building technique unique to the area.

Wood is used for courtyard gates and the houses' doors. Rosette and ivy patterns are used as decorations above the arched doors.

The areas between floors are decorated in up to three rows of rosettes, fans, stars, palmet, weather vanes and stylized plant patterns.

Windows are grouped in twos and threes and stylized plant patterns are also used as decorative borders. Two types of windows are used, either two panes opening separately or guillotine style.

In both types of houses there are numerous living rooms, a kitchen, cellar, store room, an oven (tandir), wine vat etc. Niches found in the guest rooms are decorated with paintings of vases full of flowers under silk, tasselled curtains, scenes from nature or women filling, or carrying water vessels. These scenes are painted on plaster.

The most interesting examples of local architecture belong to the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. Examples can be found all over the region, but particularly in Ürgüp, Ortahisar, Mustafapasa, Bashisar, Goreme, Avanos, and in Guzeloz and nearby Baskoy in the province of Kayseri and in Guzelyurt in the vicinity of Ihlara Canyon.

History of Cappadocia

2010-05-12T17:13:00.001+03:00

Prehistoric Period

Traces of Prehistoric cultures in Cappadocia can most easily be found around KöskHoyuk/Nigde, Asiklihoyuk/Aksaray and in the Civelek cave near Nevsehir. Excavations in these three areas are still taking place.

Asikli Hoyuk (mound)

Archaeological excavations discovered the first brick living quarters in Cappadocia in Asikli Hoyuk (mound), an extension of Aksaray's Ihlara Canyon settlements. Yellow and pink clay plaster was used in making the walls and floors of the houses, some of the most beautiful
and complicated architectural examples of first towns.

They buried the dead in the Hocker position, like a foetus in the womb, on the floor of their houses. According to Prof. U. Esin, who researched at Asikli Hoyuk, a population greater that had been previously theorised is revealed by the abundance and density of the settlements in these areas in the Aceramic Neolithic Period.

No where else in Anatolia can the unique obsidian tools be found like those from Cappadocian Tumulus. Figurines, made from lightly baked clay, were unearthed together with flat stone axes wrought in many fine shapes, chisels and coulters made from bones and ornaments made from copper, agate and other different kinds of stones. Evidence provided by a skeleton found here indicates that the earliest brain surgery (trepanation) known in the world was performed on a woman 20-25 years of age at Asikli Hoyuk.

Civil Architecture

2010-05-12T17:12:00.014+03:00

CAPPADOCIAN CIVIL ARCHITECTURE
19th century Cappadocian houses were built on hill sides, either carved out of the rock or built from large cut stones. Volcanic stone is the only architectural material in the region used for building ; it is soft when extracted and can therefore easily be cut and shaped. It hardens on contact with air to form a very resistant material. The abundance of stone in the area, and the ease of use have created a building technique unique to the area.

Wood is used for courtyard gates and the houses' doors. Rosette and ivy patterns are used as decorations above the arched doors.
The areas between floors are decorated in up to three rows of rosettes, fans, stars, palmet, weather vanes and stylized plant patterns.
Windows are grouped in twos and threes and stylized plant patterns are also used as decorative borders. Two types of windows are used, either two panes opening separately or guillotine style.

In both types of houses there are numerous living rooms, a kitchen, cellar, store room, an oven (tandir), wine vat etc. Niches found in the guest rooms are decorated with paintings of vases full of flowers under silk, tasselled curtains, scenes from nature or women filling, or carrying water vessels. These scenes are painted on plaster.
The most interesting examples of local architecture belong to the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. Examples can be found all over the region, but particularly in Ürgüp, Ortahisar, Mustafapasa, Bashisar, Goreme, Avanos, and in Guzeloz and nearby Baskoy in the province of Kayseri and in Guzelyurt in the vicinity of Ihlara Canyon.

Pigeon House

2010-05-12T17:12:00.013+03:00

CAPPADOCIAN DOVE-COTES
Doves are the symbol of peace and devotion to family in Islam whereas regarded as a symbol of the "Holy Spirit" in Christianity.

Dove-cotes, hollowed out into the upper parts of almost all the valleys and fairy chimneys, generally face east or south sides of the valleys. Since doves are in need of water to digest the grains they have already stocked in their craws, they are also named "the guarding birds of the fountains". For this reason dove-cotes were hollowed out near the water sources.

Although most of the dove-cotes in the region of Cappadocia date back to the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, there are few examples dating to the 18th century. These small buildings do not attract our attention much but are important in terms of showing us Islamic painting art which is rarely found in Cappadocia region.

The reason behind hollowing out dove-cotes was not to catch and eat pigeons but to use their excrement as fertilizer. The local farmers used pigeon droppings as fertilizers for generations, and for this reason, a great number of dove-cotes were hollowed out.

While hollowing dove-cotes, small niches or recesses were carved into 4 or 5 rows for pigeons to land on, on the three walls of a 5-10 square meter room and when needed wooden perches were also put across the room. This can easily be observed with some of the dove-cotes the facades of which are collapsed. Since dove-cotes were hollowed out high up into the cliffs, access can be gained either through a hollowed out tunnel or by a ladder.

Another type of dove-cotes is the ones that were originally hollowed out as churches or monasteries and by closing up the entrances and the windows, they were changed into dove-cotes. Some of the best examples for this type are the Cavusin (Nicephorus Phocas) Church near Cavusin, the Kiliclar Kusuk Church (of Mother Mary) in Goreme and some churches in the valley of Karsibucak. We owe the well preserved frescoes of churches used as dove-cotes to pigeons, because in this way frescoes were not exposed to the sun light and were protected from people, since farmers go into the dove-cotes only once a year and leave the place rebuilding the wall.

The facades of the dove-cotes were generally embellished in accordance with the tradition of the time and in harmony with the social life; the dyes used were extracted from trees, flowers, wild grass and soil with ferrous oxide. In addition to this, the red dye, widely used in decorating dove-cotes, was extracted from a kind of soil/mud known as "Yosa" in the region.

According to locals, the white paint is made by mixing plaster and white of an egg, therefore, animals; such as martens and foxes, find it difficult to climb up to dove-cotes to get pigeons and eggs. However, with most of the dove-cotes on the west side of the Uchisar castle, a simpler method, trinplate or zinc plates were used.

In the motifs with dove-cotes decorated with multi-colors, feelings, thoughts and creativity of the local artists are hidden. A research done with more than one hundred motifs shows that Cappadocian artists, lived in the 18th and 19th centuries, preferred motifs that are simple but also mystical. The motif of wheel of fortune, that can be seen on both sides of almost all the dove-cotes found in the valleys of Goreme, Cavusin and Zelve, is one of the oldest Anatolian motifs.

Although in the past it was the symbol of four gods of wind, it now symbolizes the world going round, the destiny changing and the circle of fate and love. The motifs of tree of life with a bird and a pomegranate are as widely used as the motifs of wheel of fortune. The tree of life, originating from Shaman beliefs, symbolize the way to the other (spiritual) world and the birds on it are the craetures guarding the tree and one's company during the journey. Pomegranate, symbolizing heaven, abundance and fertility, has been regarded as a holy fruit through the history. It also indicates that a marriage will last long, family will become rich and have many children who will have long lives. Besides the motifs mentioned above, inscriptions written in Old Turkish are also found at the dove cove. Those inscriptions generally bare the date when the dove cove was built, words of "Masallah" and "Allah" and though very seldom the name and the occupation of the owner. In the region of Cappadocia, the dove-cotes are mainly found in the valleys near Uchisar, Kiliclar and Güllüdere valleys of Goreme, in the Uzengi valley of Ürgüp, in Balkanderesi and the valley of Kizilcukur of Ortahisar, and in the valley of Cat near Nevsehir end in the Soganli Valley in the province of Kayseri.

Mausoleums

2010-05-12T17:12:00.011+03:00

Turbes, meaning ‘tombs covered by domes’ in Arabic and ‘a building with a dome shaped roof’ in Persian, are mausoleums built for important people such as sultans and emirs. These type of buildings were inspired by the art of tents of the Turks in the land of Turkomans and then applied in architecture. Prior to Islam, the dead would first be washed and then would be wrapped up in a shroud despite the different burial traditions they had. The corpse would be mummified and put into a coffin and kept in the tents until the following spring or autumn. The tradition of burial resulted in the emergence of monumental Turbe, mausoleums.

The turbe's, the first examples of which were built using bricks or stone, were later built only with cut stone. However, there is also a great number of turbe's built with using both stones and bricks. Turbe's could be built as individual buildings or in the mosque and medrese complexes. Turbes usually have two stores. The lower floor, access to which is gained by a flight of stairs, forms the base of the Turbe. This is the cell like tomb room where the mummified corpse is put into a sarcophagus or buried. In this room, used for visiting or worshipping, can be a mihrab niche as well as a symbolic sarcophagus. Its impressive door, in the direction of east, west or north, is reached by one or two flights of stairs. Along with polygonal and cylindered turbe's, which sometimes have different internal and external plans, there are also examples of square planned ones.

However, the square planned examples emerged after the 13th century. Their ceilings are domed whereas they have conical or pyramidal roofs. Somewhat embellished geometrical and floral decorations can be observed on this type of building's outer surface, door, windows, fringes and roof.

The important turbe's in the Cappadocia region are the Doner Kumbet , the Hunad Hatun Turbesi, The Cifte Turbe in Kayseri, the Hudavent Hatun Turbe in Nigde, the Taskinpasa Turbe and the Alti Kapili Turbe in Urgup.

THE DONER KUMBET
The Doner Kumbet (Kumbet: conical roofed tomb) in Kayseri is believed to date from 1276 or later. The marble inscription, consisting of two lines, over the entrance states that it was erected for ?Sah Cihan Hatun. The Turbe, built only with cut stone, has a square planned base, an exterior with 12 blank arches and a cylindered interior. The Doner Kumbet, which resembles a monumental tent, has a conical roof decorated with reliefs. On the facade of the portal is the relief of a two-headed eagle figure between the figures of two winged leopards with human heads. To the left of the portal, above the date palm is a doubleheader eagle and on either side lion figures and to the right is a date palm in relief.

THE HUNAD HATUN TURBESI
The Turbe, built in 1238 between the medrese and the mosque as an addition to the Hunad Hatun Kulliye, houses the remains of Alaaddin Keykubat I’s wife, i.e. Keyhusrev II’s mother. Access to the Turbe is a flight of stairs from a room in the medrese. The octagonal Turbe, crowned by a pyramidal roof, was built using cut stone and has as its base a marble pedestal with six lines of mukarnas. On each corner of the body is a column, completely decorated, with conical capitals. This type of column on the corners was also used in Ottoman turbe's. The inscription in relief with Sulus writing, below the fringe with mukarnas decoration on the top border, surrounds the Turbe. The fronts of the six doublearched windows between the marble columns are flat with no decorations. However, these surfaces are framed with arched borders with two lines of geometrical motifs, and the voids on the corners are filled in with swastika motifs and in this way the outer surface is embellished. The decorations on the corner columns and on the fronts consist of different types of motifs. The interior of the Turbe has a semi dome and niches with five lines of mukarnas. Each surface of the mihrab, which has five corners, is decorated with geometrical motifs composed of octagonal stars. The biggest of the three sandukas, the one with a cover of a sarcophagus of the antique period, belongs to Hunad Mahperi Hatun.

THE HUDAVENT HATUN TURBE
The Turbe, being one of the most beautiful examples of Seljuk architecture in Nigde, was erected for Hudavent Hatun, the daughter of Seljuk Sultan Rukneddin Kilicarslan IV in 1312 -during the Ilkhanid reign in Anatolia. The Turbe rests on an octagonal base, 80 cm in height. Between the base and the main part is one line of mukarnas. The main part is octagonal, crowned by a sixteen sided roof. Its portal, which can be reached with two flights of stairs, each with three steps, is on the eastern facade of the Turbe. On both sides of the door are the columns and capitals in high relief, decorated with geometrical motifs. Same type of columns are found on each corner of the main part. At the upper part, the octagonal main part is divided into two bending outward and in this way, the octagonal body is turned into an 16 sided one.

The human figures hidden among the lion figures, a two headed eagle, some fabulous creatures and floral motifs in bas relief and high relief are interesting. Two of the four lion figures are on the southwestern facade, in high relief, symmetrical and sitting on their rear legs whereas the other two on the western facade are in bas relief, walking into opposite directions. The doubleheader eagle figure is in the arched niche on the western side. The tips of the wings, in the shape of dragons, are characteristic of typical Seljuk style. Two of the four fabulous creatures are symmetrically placed above the window arch on the southwest side of the Turbe and the other two, again symmetrically, above the window on the north side. Each of them is with the head of a human and the body of a bird.
According to beliefs of Shaman of Central Asia, these motifs are creatures in the shape of birds accompanying and protecting people traveling in the underworld and the sky.

Mosques

2010-05-12T17:12:00.009+03:00

NIGDE ALAADDIN MOSQUE

Nigde Alaaddin mosque, one of the early examples of the Classical Seljuk Architecture, was built in 1223 upon the orders of Abdullah bin Besare during the time of Alaaddin Keykubat. Its architects were Siddik bin Mahmut and his brother Gazi.
Its portal, found on the east side and higher than the walls, is where the embellishments are most dense. It is filled in with geometrical motifs (semicircles, semi stars, stars with eight points, etc.) leaving very little void. The portal has a seven lined ‘mukarnas’. The three lined inscription on the niche bears information about who had the mosque built and when it was built. The two relief's on either side of the inscription are considered to be women's heads or lion heads by researchers. The edges of the marble stones on the entrance door with a low arch are like that of a saw. Next to the minaret on the northeast corner is a smaller second portal. The mosque has a rectangular, though close to a square, plan. The building is divided into three naves with two lines of piers, each line consisting of 4. The ceiling of the middle nave, larger than the ones on the sides, is decorated with four lines of ‘mukarnas’ and has an oculus. The ceiling in front of the mihrab has three domes. The dome to the west has sequences with ‘mukarnases’ of 8 lines. However, the dome to the east is placed on two pendentives and two sequences. The mihrab has 5 corners and ‘mukarnases’. The borders on the sides are mainly decorated with geometrical motifs. Alaaddin Mosque is one of the best examples of Seljuk mosques with its stonework, originality of its minaret, the great number of interior domes and its oculus.

NIGDE SUNGUR BEY MOSQUE

The mosque was built in 1335 upon the order of Seyfeddin Sungur AGA during the reign of Ebusaid, the Ilkhanid Sultan. Sungur Bey Mosque , built from cut stone in a rectangular plan, reflects the characteristics of the Seljuk period with its eastern and southern portals and stone carvings on the mihrab. Among the decorative motifs, the lion, heads of griphons, wild birds, horse and gazelle are outstanding. In addition to these, the two headed eagle above the entrance arch with the southern portal and the decorations in gothic style found on both of the portals are also interesting. The mosque was originally supported by three low arches and had three naves. The larger nave in the middle was covered with three domes and each of the side naves with transversal vaults. Due to the fire in the mosque in the 18th century, the upper part was supported with wooden poles and lost its originality. In the mother of pearl encrusted wooden mihrab inscription, now found in the Nigde Disari Mosque, it is written that the mosque was built by Hoca Ebubekir upon the orders of Seyfeddin Sungur Bey during the reign of the Great Sultan Ebusaid. The Sungur Bey Mosque is special due to its portal with double minarets, and the use of the Gothic and Islamic styles together.

Madrasah

2010-05-12T17:12:00.007+03:00

These were Seljuk schools where people received education in culture, science and art. In Medrese, as in today's high schools and universities, education was given in four main subjects; Religion and law, language and literature, philosophy and sciences. There was not an established period of time for education.

Students would complete their education in different periods of time since the requirement to complete education was to finish books. Educational sessions would start after the morning prayer and continue until the noon prayer. Then students would retreat to their study cells surrounding the courtyard.

They would usually have Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays off. Linked to mosques and mescids, first medresses were special places for education either near these buildings or in them. Later on Seljuk Sultans had medresses built -usually as medical schools-,named after their wives as well as themselves.

Researchers think that the origin of the architecture of medresses came from Egypt and Central Asia. Anatolian Seljuk Medresses, which started appearing in the 12th century, had either open or covered courtyards. Medresses with open courtyards are the most common type. Along with the ones with two storeys, this type of medresse may have one, two, three or four eyvans. (Eyvan: three-walled vaulted antechamber)

The second main type of medresses are the ones that have a large central place covered with a big dome instead of an open courtyard.

THE HUNAT HATUN MEDRESSE
The Medresse, established in 1237/1238 by Hunad (Mahperi) Hatun, the wife of Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat I, is located in the Hunad Hatun Külliye, (Külliye: a collection of buildings of an institution, usually composed of schools, a mosque, lunatic asylum, hospital, kitchen, etc.) composed of a mosque, a Turbe (tomb) and a bath house.

The Medrese, with a rectangular plan, and open courtyard and two eyvans, has round supporting towers. Even though the eastern portal has partly collapsed, it is obviously a good example of Seljuk stonemasonry. On the long sides of the courtyard, surrounded with arched high porticoes, are a total of sixteen vaulted-cells, eight on each side. The vaults, walls and the ceilings of the side cells are covered with regular stone. The places to the left and right of the entrance hall are symmetrical and the mescid is in the right wing.

The main eyvan, across the entrance, has a monumental appearance due to its depth and high barrel vaults. Its outer frame and the niches on the side walls are decorated with geometrical motifs. To the left of the main eyvan is the square planned classroom and to the right are the rooms with internal divisions.

THE TASKINPASA MEDRESSE
It is located by the side of the UrgupSoganli road in the village of Damsa (Taskinpasa), 20km south of Ürgüp. The Medrese, built by the Karamanids (the Karamanids: a fourteenth-century dynasty in Konya, that dominated this part of Anatolia for almost 250 years.) is 22.60 m by 23.85 m.

Its portal, the mihrab in its mescid, its door and windows were laid using stone cut into blocks whereas rough stones were used in building the walls. Although its upper stores has completely collapsed, it is understood from the flight of stairs to the left of the entrance that it had at least two storeys.

The impressive stonemasonry seen on the portal on the western side is in classical Seljuk style. The portal is decorated entirely with geometrical and floral designs. The inscription, that should be found above the entrance, has been lost. To the right of the entrance with a basket-handled arch is the mescid of the medresse. Its mihrab, like the portal, is decorated with rich floral motifs. The upper part of it is embellished with lines of palm leaves whereas floral designs are used with the double lined border.

Surrounding the rectangular planned open courtyard are a number of unconnected rooms.

Caravanserais

2010-05-12T17:12:00.005+03:00

During the Seljuk Period, the most important three factors in trade were roads, caravans and inns. The caravans, during their long journeys, would stop at inns to rest in the evenings. They would set off again after having met their own and their animals' needs. The beginning of the caravansaries, first seen in the Central Asia during the times of Caravans, Ghaznavids and the Great Seljuk State, were building called "Ribat". These buildings, first constructed as small buildings for military uses, later were developed and changed into larger buildings and were used for both religious purposes and as inns for travelers.

Especially during the times of Seljuk Sultans Kilicarslan II and Alaaddin Keykubat I, the construction of these buildings accelerated and the security of the trading roads was provided by the state. The loss of the trades would be met by the states, that is, there was , in a way,an insurance system. During that period, both home and foreign trades prospered. In this way, the Seljuks, already strong economically, became politically strong too.

In the caravanserais, foreign traders as well as native ones would be put up for three days. Their shoes would be repaired, the poor would be given new shoes. The ill would be treated and animals would be tended, if needed the horses would be shoed. For their religious practices, they would use the "Kosk Mescid", small mosque, in the centre of the courtyard. The "Kosk Mescid", usually located in the centre of the courtyard, was the most important part of the caravanserais. They are normally built on an arched base.

The courtyards are normally surrounded with bedrooms, depots, bath house and bathrooms. "Mangals" (braziers) or "tandirs" (oven in the ground) were used to heat the places whereas candles and lamps were used for light. All these services were provided by the people working in caravanserais; e.g., doctor, imam (prayer leader), depot officer, veterinarian, messenger, blacksmith, and cook. Stones cut from the volcanic rock were used in the construction of the caravanserais in the Region of Cappadocia. For defense purposes, their walls are like castle walls. Some of the best examples of Seljuk stonemasonry can be seen at the entrances, called "Tac Kapi". Although dragon, lion motifs and floral designs were among the ones frequently used, in the Cappadocia region generally geometrical designs were preferred. The doors, as strong as the castle doors, were made of iron.

Caravanserais were built along roads running from Antalya - Konya - Kayseri to the land of Turkomans passing through Erzurum and Tabriz and from the Black Sea region to Iraq via Amasya - Tokat - Sivas - Malatya - Diyarbakir at a distance of 30-40km, one day camel trek.

It is possible to see some of the most beautiful examples of caravanserais in the region of Cappadocia, especially between Aksaray and Kayseri, since it is an intersection, east to west and south to north; Sultanhan in Aksaray, Agzikarahan in Aksaray, Saruhan in Nevsehir and Sultanhan in Kayseri.

First Travelers

2010-05-12T17:12:00.003+03:00

FIRST TRAVELER'S IN CAPPADOCIA
Europeans discovered the Region of Cappadocia, which has been occupied by many civilisations at the beginning of the 18th century. Paul Lucas, who was sent by the French King Louis XIV in 1704, stated that he saw many strange pyramid like houses near the Red River (the ancient Halys) and that these houses had conspicuous entrances and stairs and big windows to light all the rooms.

With his imagination, he likened the fairy chimneys to "monks with hoods" and the rocks on the fairy chimneys to busts of "Mother Mary holding Baby JesusHe thought that these interesting rock-cut houses were the ones of the Christian monks. In his engraving, the tops of the serial conical shaped fairy chimneys were depicted, in an exaggerated way, as the busts of people and animals.

When Lukas examined Cappadocia again in 1719, he described these fairy chimneys as a graveyard near Caesarea (modern Kayseri). Paul Lucas's fantastic description of the place was met with both great interest and suspicion in Europe.".
C. Texier, who visited Cappadocia between 1833 - 1837 after Paul Lukas, stated that nature had never displayed itself in such a way before the eyes of a stranger. English traveler Ainsworth, who visited Cappadocia in the 19th century, expressed his astonishment as:"Turning up a glen which led from the river inland, we found ourselves suddenly lost in a forest of cones and pillars of rock, that rose around us in interminable confusion, like the ruins of some great and ancient city. At times these rude pinnacles of rock balanced huge unformed masses upon their pointed summits, but still more frequently the same strangely supported masses assumed fantastic shapes and forms at one moment suggesting the idea of a lion, at another of a bird, and then again of a crocodile or a fish."

W. J. Hamilton, English geologist, expressed his amazement saying, "The words are never enough to describe the scenery of this extraordinary place." Scientific researches and publications started at the end of the 19th century. G. De Jerphanion, the French explorer/priest, who did some researches in Cappadocia between 1907 - 1912, systematically examined the monumental rock-cut churches, rock-cut monasteries and the wall frescoes in these.

The Ottoman Period

2010-05-12T17:12:00.001+03:00

The Region of Cappadocia was very peaceful also during the Ottoman Period. Nevsehir was a small village in the province of Nigde until the time of Damat Ibrahim Pasha. At the beginning of the 18th century, especially during the time of Damat Ibrahim Pasha, places like Nevsehir, Gulsehir, Ozkonak, Avanos and Urgup prospered and mosques, kulliyes (a collection of buildings of an institution, usually composed of schools, a mosque, lunatic asylum, hospital, kitchen, etc.) and fountains were built. The bridge in the centre of the town of Ozkonak, which was built during Yavuz Sultan Selim’s campaign to the east (1514), is important in terms of being an early Ottoman Period building.

The Christian people living in the area were treated with tolerance in the Ottoman Period as in the Seljuk Period. The 18th century church of Constantine-Helena in Sinasos-Urgup, the 19th century church built in honor of Dimitrius in Gulsehir and the Orthodox Church in Derinkuyu are some of the best examples of this tolerance.

Seljuk Period

2010-05-12T17:11:00.011+03:00

THE SELJUK PERIOD(1071-1299)
The arrival of the Seljuk Turks in Anatolia marked the beginning of a new era in history. After their victories in Iran and Mesopotamia, Turks rapidly spread throughout Anatolia, settling there in the second half of the 11th century. In 1071 the Byzantine emperor Romanos Diogenes, who was of Cappadocian origin, was defeated and captured by the Seljuk ruler Alparslan at Malazgirt. In 1080 Suleiman Shah founded the Anatolian Seljuk State, the capital of which was Konya. In 1082 Kayseri was conquered by Turks. Cities such as Nigde and Aksaray were reconstructed, and caravanserais, mosques, Madrasah, and tombs were built.

The Seljuk Turks' conquest of Anatolia did not affect the administrative authority of the Patriarchy. It was only after the 14th century that its size and status were diminished.

Byzantine Period

2010-05-12T17:11:00.009+03:00

THE BYZANTINE PERIOD (397-1071)

When the Roman Empire divided into two, Cappadocia fell under the eastern region. In the early 7th century there were severe wars between the Sassanid and Byzantine armies, and for 6 or 7 years the Sassanids held the area. In 638 Caliph Ömer ended the domination of the Sassanids, and the Arab Ommiades began to attack.
The long lasting religious debates among sects reached a peak with the adoption of the Iconoclastic view by Leon III, who was influenced by Islamic traditions. Christian priests and monks who were in favour of icons began to take refuge in Cappadocia. The Iconoclastic period lasted over a century (726-843). During this time, although several Cappadocian churches were under the influence of Iconoclasm, the people who were in favour of icons were able to continue to worship comfortably.

Roman Period

2010-05-12T17:11:00.007+03:00

THE ROMAN PERIOD ( 17AD - 395AD )
The wars came to an end in 17AD when Tiberius conquered Cappadocia and placed it under Roman rule. After the conquest, the Romans reconstructed the road to the west that was of both commercial and military significance.

During the Roman era the area saw many migrations and attacks from the east. The area was defended by Roman military units known as "Legions".

During the reign of Emperor Septimus Severus, Cappadocia's economy flourished, but the capital, Kayseri (Caesera) was attacked by Sassanid armies from Iran. Emperor Gordianus III ordered the construction of defensive city walls.

During this time some of the first Christians were moving from the big cities to villages. In the 4th century, when Kayseri was a flourishing religious centre, the rocky landscape of Göreme was discovered. Adopting the teachings of St. Basil, Bishop of Caesarea (Kayseri), the Christians began to lead a monastic life in the carved out rocks of Cappadocia.

Persian Empire

2010-05-12T17:11:00.005+03:00

THE PERSIAN EMPIRE & KINGDOM OF CAPPADOCIA ( 585BC - 332BC )
The Cimmerians ended the Phrygian reign, and were then followed by the Medes (585BC) and the Persians (547 BC). The Persians divided the empire into semi autonomous provinces and ruled the area using governors who were known as ‘satraps’. In the ancient Persian language, Katpatuka, the word for Cappadocia, meant "Land of the well bred horses".

The Persians gave their people the freedom to choose their own religion and to speak their native languages. Since the religion they were devoted to was the Zoroastrian religion, fire was considered to be divine, and so, the volcanoes of Erciyes and Hasandagi were sacred for them.

The Persians constructed a "Royal Road" connecting their capital city in Cappadocia to the Aegean region. The Macedonian King Alexander defeated Persian armies twice, in 334 and 332 BC, and conquered this great empire.
After bringing the Persian Empire to an end, King Alexander met with great resistance in Cappadocia. He tried to rule the area through one of his commanders named Sabictus, but the ruling classes and people resisted and declared Ariarthes, a Persian aristocrat, as king. Ariarthes I (332 - 322 BC) was a successful ruler, and extended the borders of the Cappadocian Kingdom as far as the Black Sea.

The kingdom of Cappadocia lived in peace until the death of Alexander. From then until 17AD, when it became a Roman province, it fought wars with the Macedonians, the Galatians and the Pontus nation.

Late Hittite Kingdom

2010-05-12T17:11:00.003+03:00

LATE HITTITE KINGDOM ( 1200-700 BC )
After the Phrygians destroyed all the important towns in Central Anatolia eliminating the Hittite Empire, fragments of the Late Hittite Kingdoms sprang up around central and southeast Anatolia.

The Late Hittite Kingdom in Cappadocia was the Tabal kingdom, which extended over Kayseri, Nevsehir and Nigde. Rock monuments from this age, with Hittite hieroglyphics can be found at Gulsehir-Sivasa (Gokcetoprak), Acigol-Topada, and Hacibektas-Karaburna.

Hittite Period

2010-05-12T17:11:00.001+03:00

HITTITE PERIOD ( 1750-1200 BC )
People coming from Europe via the Caucasus, and settling in Cappadocia around 2000 BC, formed an Empire in the region merging with the native people of the area. Their language was of Indo-European origin.

The capital of the Hittite kingdom was at Hattushash (Bogazkoy), and the other important cities were Alacahoyuk and Alisar. Hittite remains can be found in all the tumuli in Cappadocia.

The Hittite Empire, which lasted for six centuries in the region, collapsed around 1200 BC when the confederacy of Hittite states was invaded by the Phrygian people from the Balkans.

Assyrian Trade Colonies Periods

2010-05-12T17:01:00.003+03:00

PROTOHITTITE & ASSYRIAN TRADE COLONIES PERIODS ( 3000BC - 1750BC )
Mining and metallurgy reached its peak in Anatolia during the Early Bronze Age. Major developments were observed in Northern Anatolia towards the end of this period. Between 2000BC and 1750BC Assyrian merchants from northern Mesopotamia formed the first commercial organisations by establishing trade colonies in Anatolia. The centre of these colonies was at Kanesh Kharum near Kültepe in Kayseri province (Kharum: A commercial market place). Another important commercial market place referred in documents is the Kharum Hattush at Bogazköy.Anatolia was rich in gold, silver and copper, but lacked tin, essential for obtaining bronze as an alloy. For this reason tin was one of the major trading materials, as well as textile goods and perfumes. The merchants had no political dominance, but were protected by the regional Beys. Fortunately for the Assyrian merchants, writing was seen for the first time in Anatolia. From the "Cappadocia tablets", cuneiform clay tablets on which ancient Assyrian was written, it has been learnt that merchants paid a 10% road tax to the Bey, received 30% interest from locals for, and paid a 5% tax to the Anatolian kings for goods they sold. The same tablets tell us that Assyrian merchants sometimes married Anatolian women, and the marriage agreements contained clauses to protect the women’s rights from their husbands. Assyrian merchants also introduced cylinder seals, metallurgy, their religious beliefs, Gods and temples to Anatolia. Native Anatolian art flourished under the influence of Assyrian Mesopotamic art, eventually developing an identity of its own. During the following ages this developed into the fundamentals of Hittite art.

Prehistoric Period

2010-05-12T17:01:00.001+03:00

HISTORY OF CAPPADOCIA

Prehistoric Period

Asikli Hoyuk (mound)

Volcanic Eruptions & Geological formation

2010-05-12T17:00:00.003+03:00

Mount Erciyes, Hasandagi and Golludag were active volcanoes in the geological
periods. Alongside with many other volcanoes, eruptions of these volcanoes
started in the Early Miocene (10 million years ago) and have continued until the
present day.

The lava produced by these volcanoes, under the Neogene lakes, formed a layer of
tufa on the plateaus, which varied in hardness and was between 100 and 150m
thick. Other substances in the layer are ignimbrite, soft tufa, tufa, lahar, ash,
clay, sandstone, marn, basalt and other agglomerates.

Plateaus, having been essentially shaped with the lava from the bigger volcanoes,
were continuously altered with the eruptions of smaller volcanoes. Starting in
the Early Pliocene Period, the rivers in the area, especially Kizilirmak (the
Red River), and local lakes contributed to the erosion of this layer of tufa
stone, eventually giving the area its present day shape.

Fascinating Curves
Another characteristic feature of the area is the sweeping curves on the sides
of the valleys, formed by rainwater. The array of colors seen on some of the
valleys is due to the difference in heat of the lava layers. Such patterns can
be seen in Uchisar, Cavusin / Gulludere, Goreme / Meskendir, Ortahisar / Kizilcukur
and Pancarlik valleys.

Formation of the Fairy Chimneys

2010-05-12T17:00:00.001+03:00

The cone is constructed from tufa and volcanic ash, while the cap is of hard, more resistant rock such as lahar or ignimbrite. Various types of fairy chimneys are found in Cappadocia. Among these are those with caps, cones, mushroom like forms, columns and pointed
rocks.
Fairy chimneys are generally found in the valleys of the Uchisar- Urgup-Avanos
triangle, between Urgup and Sahinefendi, around the town of Cat in Nevsehir, in
the Soganli valley in Kayseri, and in the village of Selime in Aksaray.